I want Governor Romney to weigh in as well. There’s a perception, at least among some, that Republicans are — at least the Republican Party — very close to big oil. A lot of Americans are suffering now from the price of gasoline, the high price of gasoline.

What do you say to that — the audience out there who believes that there’s too much of an alliance, if you will, between the big oil companies and Republicans?

MR. ROMNEY: Well, first of all, Rudy Giuliani is right in terms of an Apollo project to get us energy independent, and the effects of that on global warming are positive. It’s a no-regrets policy. It’s a great idea.

Secondly, with regards to big oil, big oil is making a lot of money right now, and I’d like to see them using that money to invest in refineries. Don’t forget that when companies earn profit, that money is supposed to be reinvested in growth. And our refineries are old. Someone said to me — Matt Simons, an investment banker down in Houston, he said our refineries today are rust with paint holding them up. And we need to see these companies, if they’re making that kind of money, reinvest in capital equipment.

But let’s not forget, where the money is being made this year is not just — throughout these years is not just in Exxon and Shell and the major oil companies, it’s in the countries that own this oil. Russia last year took in $500 billion by selling oil. Ahmadinejad, Putin, Chavez — these people are getting rich off of people buying too much oil. And that’s why we have to pursue, as a strategic imperative, energy independence for America. And it takes that Apollo project. It also takes biodiesel, biofuel, ethanol —

MR. BLITZER: Thank you.

MR. ROMNEY: — cellulosic ethanol, nuclear power, more drilling in ANWR. We have to be serious also about efficiency —

MR. BLITZER: Thank you, Governor.

MR. ROMNEY: — and that’s going to allow us to become energy independent.

Romney: Investing In Energy Independence

Debate Questions for Governor Mitt Romney from the 3rd Debate:

1. Was it a mistake for us to invade Iraq?
2. Would you use a tactical nuclear weapons to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb?
3. How do you respond to Mccain's accusation that you are pandering on immigration?
4. What would you do with the 12 million illegal immigrants who are in this country?
5. Why should people who oppose abortion believe you are pro-life?
6. What would you like to say to the voters about your faith?
7. Is there too much of an alliance between big oil companies and Republicans?
8. Do you believe that gays should be able to serve openly in the military?
9. What do you say to conservatives who are critical of your health care plan?
10. Why are you airing ads in spanish if you think English should be the official language?
11. What would you do to include moderate Republicans and independents?